Delightful Thatch Cottage in Dorset - sleeps 5

Thatch Cottage is a three-bedroom, grade II listed former estate workers' dwelling constructed in the 1780s. The cottage is situated in the heart of the picturesque, and very rural, village of Powerstock. The village is located in the West Dorset area of outstanding natural beauty at the foot of the ancient Iron Age fort at Eggardon Hill. Conveniently, there are two delightful pubs: the Three Horseshoes Inn and The Marquis of Lorne only a short walk away, but not a village shop. The space The cottage is a good example of local vernacular architecture comprising random stone rubble walls under a thatched roof. The ground floor includes a large dining room and cosy sitting room with a large inglenook fireplace complemented by a kitchen and bathroom in a modern extension. There is a large master bedroom, with a double bed, a twin bedroom and a further single bedroom on the first floor. All of the bedrooms have period wooden beams and panelling and, as might be expected with a dwelling of Thatch Cottage's age and character, some of the doors and ceilings are quite low. There are also some steps and variations in floor level within the property. The garden is unenclosed, planted in a cottage style and has a gravel path cottage to the parking area and patio area. The patio has five steps leading down to it, is adjoined by a small wildlife area and is furnished with a table and benches suitable for al fresco dining and general outside relaxation. Guest access Although a minimal bus service runs between Bridport and Powerstock, walking and cycling are the best ways to enjoy the local neighbourhood. Abbotsbury, Litton Cheyney, Burton Bradstock, West Bay, Bridport, Lyme Regis, Beer and Branscombe are all worth the time to properly explore but sensibly require a car journey. The best way to get to the cottage from the A35 trunk road is via the roundabout at the eastern end of the Bridport by-pass and West Milton. If you rely on your satnav and approach from the Dorchester direction, it is likely to take you from Winterbourne Abbas to Powerstock via Eggardon Hill and Kings Lane, which is very narrow with steep drops on both sides, although it does offer spectacular views in fine weather. Other things to note Thatch Cottage is served by a private water supply provided by the Mappercombe estate from the local chalk aquifer. Although the water is treated at source by the Estate, its pressure can sometimes be variable. Therefore, in particularly dry periods, it is advisable to stagger activities that use large amounts of water to avoid draining the storage tanks in the cottage's roof.